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Vastwood Park
Artist - Al Cornett
One of the most beautiful natural areas contained completely within the boundaries of Hancock County is Vastwook Park.
Vastwood Park was purchased by the Hancock County Park System in 1975.
The Wimmer family originally started the park in 1959, as a private park with fishing, swimming and picnicing available.
After the purchase of the park by the County, construction was began on the bathhouse and expansion of the facilities for the park. In 1976, L. R. Chapman donated several acres.
The park, located on 1847, is comparable to a state park. It has an excellent bath house, showers, canteen area and large meeting room. Four tennis court, basketball courts, regulation baseball field, little league field, concession stand, playground equipment, picnic shelter and hiking trails and now available. The 19 acre lake provides the beach and fishing areas. All these facilities are open to the public free of charge.
An annual 4th of July Fireworks display marks the opening of the park.
Text is from the 'Hancock 29' booklet edited by Robert A. Powell ©1979
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Alan K. Cornett of Slade, Kentucky
A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Al works basically with pastels and oils to create "Kentucky Wilderness" paintings. He was born in Boyd County and now lives in the heart of the Red River Gorge country. He spends many hours traipsing through, sketching and exploring the wilderness of the Daniel Boone National Forest which surrounds his home.
Original paintings commissioned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky currently adorn park lodges across the state.
He is concerned with the environment, and is a profound advocate of preserving our natural resources.
Al says, "Each time I walk in the forest it is different. Each observance is with a realization of never seeing the same again. What I see today no one will ever see again. We are confronted not with exact reproductions, but with interpretations which become personal statements by the artist.
"The world was not created... it is being created - now! And the thrill of it all is that we are watching. That is what painting landscape is all about."
He was selected as one of the original Kentucky Heritage Artist.
Text is from the 'Hancock 29' booklet edited by Robert A. Powell ©1979
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